YouTube debuts TV subscription service, at $35 a month for 6 accounts

YouTube may have put the final nail in the coffin of sitting around a TV set as a family to watch live shows with the launch of its TV streaming subscription.

Launching “soon”in the “largest US markets” before rolling out more widely, YouTube TV lets up to six accounts stream and record live shows for partner networks on any device, anywhere in the world, for $35 a month. Unlike cable contracts, viewers can cancel their subscription at any time and there are no restrictions on how many shows can be recorded.

“There’s no question people love TV but the truth is, there are a lot of limitations in how to watch,” explained YouTube in a blog post. “Consumers have made it clear that they want live TV without all the hassle. They tell us they want TV to be more like YouTube.

“To do this, we’ve worked closely with our network and affiliate partners to evolve TV for the way we watch today. Meet YouTube TV. It’s live TV designed for the YouTube generation—those who want to watch what they want, when they want, how they want, without commitments.”

YouTube

For your $35, you will get live TV streaming from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and ESPN. YouTube has also partnered with local TV stations, plus additional cable channels including MSNBC, Fox News, Disney Channel, Sprout, E! and Bravo. For an additional charge, account holders will be able to add Showtime and Fox Soccer Plus. The more you watch, the more tailored your recommendations will be.

The subscription additionally comes with a cloud DVR, with no storage limits. This can be used to record as many shows as you want, simultaneously, without using space on your phone. YouTube will store the content for nine months and you can watch three streams at a time. This cloud DVR is linked to an account rather than a device, too, so will work anywhere you’re signed in.

And the subscription comes with access to all YouTube Redoriginal shows and movies.

YouTube has not revealed when, or even if, it will launch outside of the US and it will likely be dependent on whether it can partner with local network TV services. Given the threat it faces to traditional cable providers, this could prove difficult. However, you can sign up to find out when YouTube TV is launching in new markets at tv.youtube.com.